JPH07171974A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To restrict a space for housing waste ink to be small so as to obtain a recording device smaller than conventional one by converting an ink container as an ink refill means to an exchanging waste ink housing container after completion of refilling of ink. CONSTITUTION:A refill unit 7 has a large diameter and an injector-like structure with a short stroke. An absorbing body 7a holds waste ink when it is converted to a waste ink container. An ink to be refilled is housed in a space formed by a piston 7b and a cylinder 7c. A needle 7d is inserted into an injection opening 9a of a head cartridge 9 and the piston 7b is pushed in, so as to fill the ink housing section with the ink. The piston 7b is completely pushed into the cylinder 7c so that the total volume of the refill unit 7 is reduced to about a half. Thus, the absorbing body 7a is housed in a tray-like container, which can be converted to an exchanging waste ink container reduced in size.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus as an output of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a computer, a word processor or a combination thereof, and more specifically, a head for ejecting ink and a head for ejecting the ink. The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus having an ink storage unit (waste ink storage section) for storing unnecessary ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Unwanted ink generated by cleaning or preliminary ejection (this ink is called waste ink) is sent to a waste ink storage portion by a built-in device having a pump mechanism called a recovery system unit.

Conventionally, the waste ink sent to the waste ink storage portion is left as it is, and although the weight is somewhat reduced by natural drying, the non-volatile components are accumulated in the storage portion.

Waste ink contains a large amount of volatile components,
Although you can expect considerable weight loss by natural drying,
Non-volatile components (about 20% of the initial amount) are accumulated in the storage unit. Further, it has been confirmed that the amount of waste ink, which has been naturally dried and reduced to about 20%, increases due to a hygroscopic phenomenon in a high humidity environment such as summer. (35 ° C 85
% Increase the initial amount to about 40% in the environment. ) Therefore, the waste ink storage unit is 40
%, For example, about 60 cm ³ of waste ink must be designed to be accommodated, and therefore a larger space had to be secured in the recording apparatus.

[0005]

In recent years, downsizing of copying machines, facsimiles, computers, and word processing devices has progressed, and downsizing of printer units is urgently needed.

[0006] In comparison with the miniaturization of the mechanical unit in the printer unit, the large space for accommodating all the waste ink within the life of the apparatus is considered in the miniaturization of the entire printer unit. It is extremely inconvenient.

The waste ink storage section may be provided integrally with the head section and the ink tank section on the carrier so that the head and the ink tank can be replaced together when the head is replaced when the ink runs out. However, a mechanism for returning the waste ink sucked by the recovery system unit to the ink cartridge integrated head is required, which causes a cost increase.In addition, if the waste ink section is integrated with the ink tank section, the carrier becomes even larger. However, a large space is taken in the entire range of movement of the carrier, and space is not saved.

Further, it is conceivable to simply replace the waste ink storage portion, but in this case it is inconvenient because it is necessary to provide means for notifying the user of the replacement time.

In recent years, in order to reduce the running cost of an ink jet printer, a method of replenishing ink in an ink tank which is an ink accumulating means has been adopted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus which is smaller than the conventional one by solving the above-mentioned problems of the related art by suppressing the space for storing waste ink to be small.

[0011]

In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, an ink container, which is an ink replenishing means for "replenishment", is converted to a replacement waste ink storage container after "replenishment" is completed, and "replenishment" is performed. The feature is that the waste ink storage section is always replaced at the timing of "."

As the ink replenishing means, many types and methods can be applied, and particularly, a refill unit, a replaceable ink tank or a disposable head type is preferably used.

As a result, the space for storing the waste ink can be made extremely small as compared with the conventional case in which the total amount of waste ink is stored within the life of the apparatus. Moreover, since the container for replenishment is diverted as a waste ink storage container for replacement, there is no need for means for notifying the user of the waste ink storage section replacement time, and the waste container can be halved. It is also preferable from the viewpoint of environmental protection.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of refilling ink using a refill unit which is an ink replenishing means of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a document creation device (hereinafter referred to as a word processor) as an example of a device to which the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard portion which is an input device. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display portion for displaying an input document or the like, which is rotatably held and can be folded so as to overlap the keyboard portion 1 when not in use. Reference numeral 3 denotes a protective cover which is openable and closable and which is provided in a visual recognition opening for confirming the operating state of the recording head and is transparent or translucent. Reference numeral 5 is a paper supporter that supports the recording paper when the recording paper is fed and discharged, and 6 is a knob for manually feeding and discharging the recording paper.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the printer section, 9 is a head cartridge in which an ink jet recording head and an ink tank are integrated, and 11 is a carriage for mounting the head cartridge for scanning in the S direction in the figure. 13 is a hook for attaching the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11,
Reference numeral 15 is a lever for operating the hook 13. The lever 15 is provided with a marker 1 for instructing a scale provided on a cover, which will be described later, so that the print position and the set position by the recording head of the head cartridge can be read.
7 is provided. Reference numeral 19 is a support plate that supports an electrical connection portion for the head cartridge 9. Reference numeral 21 is a flexible cable for connecting the electric connection portion and the main body control portion.

Reference numeral 23 is a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is inserted into a bearing 25 of the carriage 11. Reference numeral 27 is a timing belt to which the carriage 11 is fixed and which transmits power for moving the carriage 11 in the S direction, and pulleys 29 arranged on both sides of the device.
It is stretched over A and 29B. The carriage motor 31 is attached to one pulley 29B via a transmission mechanism such as a gear.
More driving force is transmitted.

Reference numeral 4 is a recording medium, and 33 is a conveying roller for regulating the recording surface of a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper) and for conveying this at the time of recording. Driven. Reference numeral 37 is a paper pan for guiding the recording medium from the side of the paper feed tray 4 to the recording position, and 39 is provided in the middle of the feeding path of the recording medium and presses the recording medium toward the conveying roller 33 to convey it. Is a feed roller for. Reference numeral 41 denotes a paper discharge roller that is arranged on the downstream side of the recording position in the recording medium conveyance direction and discharges the recording medium toward a paper discharge port (not shown). Reference numeral 42 is a spur provided corresponding to the paper discharge roller 41, and presses the paper discharge roller 41 via the recording medium, and causes the paper discharge roller 41 to convey the recording medium. Reference numeral 43 denotes a release lever for releasing the urging force of the feed roller 39, the pressing plate 45, and the spur 42 when setting the recording medium.

Reference numeral 45 is a holding plate for suppressing the floating of the recording medium in the vicinity of the recording position and for ensuring a close contact with the conveying roller 33. In this printer,
As the recording head, an inkjet recording head that records by ejecting ink is used. Therefore, the distance between the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is relatively small, and the distance must be strictly controlled to avoid contact between the recording medium and the ejection port forming surface. The arrangement of the holding plate 45 is effective. Four
Reference numeral 7 is a scale provided on the pressing plate 45, and 49 is a marker provided on the carriage 11 corresponding to the scale. The print position and the set position of the recording head can also be read by these markers.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a cap made of an elastic material such as rubber which faces the ejection port forming surface of the recording head at the home position, and is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the recording head. The cap 51 is used for protection of the recording head during non-recording, and for ejection recovery processing of the recording head. The ejection recovery process is to eject the ink from all the ejection ports by driving the energy generating element provided inside the ink ejection port and used for ejecting the ink, whereby bubbles, dust, and viscosity are increased. This is a process for removing the cause of defective ejection of ink or the like that is no longer suitable for recording.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a pump which acts as a suction force for the forced discharge and which is used to suck the ink received in the cap 51 during the discharge recovery process by the forced discharge and the discharge recovery process by the preliminary discharge. 5
Reference numeral 5 denotes a waste ink container for storing the waste ink sucked by the pump 53, which has a replaceable structure.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a blade for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, and a position for projecting to the recording head side to perform wiping in the course of head movement.
It is movably supported in a retracted position that does not engage with the ejection port forming surface. Reference numeral 61 is a pump motor, and reference numeral 63 is a cam device for receiving power from the pump motor 61 to drive the pump 53 and move the cap 51 and the blade 59, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refill unit 7 according to the present invention has a structure like a syringe having a large diameter and a short stroke. Reference numeral 7a is an absorber that holds the waste ink when it is diverted to the waste ink container. The ink to be refilled is contained in the space formed by the piston 7b and the cylinder 7c. The needle 7d is inserted into the ink inlet 9a provided in the head cartridge 9 and the piston 7b is pushed into the cylinder 7c to fill the ink into an ink storage portion (not shown) which is an ink holding means provided in the head cartridge 9. To do.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus refill unit 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Ink 7f is stored in the space created inside by the piston 7b and the cylinder 7c.
Drying and leakage are prevented by e and the rubber cap 7g.

When filling, the rubber cap 7g is replaced with the needle 7d shown in FIG. 1, the needle 7d is inserted into the head cartridge 9, and the piston 7b is pushed into the cylinder 7c.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refill unit 7 after the refill by the ink jet recording device refill unit 7 shown in FIG. 4 is completed. The piston 7b was completely pushed into the cylinder 7c, and the volume of the entire refill unit 7 was reduced to about 1/2. With this, the absorber 7a is housed in the tray-shaped container, and can be diverted as a miniaturized replacement waste ink container.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the refill unit 7 is diverted as a waste ink storage portion in an ink jet recording apparatus. The ink sucked from the ink cartridge 10 is sucked from the cap 51 to the pump 53, and is discharged to the refill unit 7 arranged right below.
In order to simplify and downsize the apparatus, the height difference between the ink recovery unit and the waste ink storage unit may be used without using the pump.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a method of exchanging a waste ink container of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. With the word processor incorporating the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, if the protective cover 3, the lower portion of the paper supporter 5, and the waste ink container cover 8 on the left side are removed,
The waste ink container 7 can be easily slid out and replaced.

For example, it is assumed that 20 cc of ink is contained in the head cartridge 9 or the refill unit 7 which is initially set. Assuming that the waste ink generated by preliminary ejection and cleaning is 40% of the total volume of the retained ink, which is 8 g, while the 20 g of ink is used up, if this is left at room temperature, the waste ink will dry out. The amount is reduced to 20% to be 1.6 g. On the other hand, even if it absorbs moisture at high temperature and high humidity, it is sufficiently small as 3.2 g and can be stored in the waste ink container 55 (shown in FIG. 3) shown in this embodiment.
Further, if the waste ink container is replaced only during refilling, the amount can be stored without replacing the waste ink container when replacing the head, and the absorber 7a that always absorbs the waste ink absorbs the waste ink. It can be kept in a possible state, and ink leakage can be reliably prevented. Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a refill unit 7 according to a second embodiment.

An absorber 7a is placed in the bellows container and is soaked with ink. Similar to the first embodiment, the needle can be inserted into the head cartridge 9 and the bellows can be crushed to refill the ink.

The "empty" bellows container returns to its original size by the restoring force of the container itself and the absorber 7a. It can be used as it is as a replacement waste ink container.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the refill unit 7 is diverted as a waste ink storage portion in an ink jet recording apparatus.

The ink sucked from the ink cartridge 10 is sucked by the pump 53 from the cap 51 and discharged to the refill unit 7 arranged right below.

Although the refill unit 7 of the first embodiment is described as a syringe type container, the present invention is not limited to this form, and various configurations such as the bellows container mentioned here are conceivable. Any form will do.

However, comparing Example 1 and Example 2, Example 1 is more preferable from the viewpoint of easy gas-liquid exchange at the time of containing waste ink and promotion of spontaneous evaporation of the contained waste ink. Third Embodiment FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a head cartridge including a replaceable ink tank is used as the ink holding means. In this embodiment, the first embodiment
Unlike the head cartridge 9 shown in FIG.
By connecting the ink tank 9c that can be attached to and detached from the head, a head cartridge is constructed.

This head cartridge is arranged on a carrier, and the head 9b and the ink tank 9c can be separated according to the user's request. When used, it is securely connected by a claw-shaped and hole-shaped snubb-in.

When the ink is exhausted, only the empty ink tank 9c is removed and replaced with an ink tank 9c full of ink.

At this time, the empty ink tank 9c
Can be replaced with the waste ink containing the existing waste ink (see FIG. 12), and is reused in a new waste tank.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the head cartridge of the third embodiment.

The ink tank 9c is provided with a valve mechanism 9d. The valve 9d is pushed up from behind by an elastic ink absorber 9e such as a sponge,
In the separated state, the ink inside does not leak, which is very easy to handle. In the state of being connected to the head 9b, it is pushed and opened by the ink intake port protruding from the head side.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining how the ink tank 9c is diverted and attached to a waste ink tank.

The waste ink tank mounting portion is provided below the recovery device, and has a tube shape for receiving the waste ink from the pump 53 and delivering it to the waste ink tank 55, and the ink tank 9c is set therein. Then, this tube shape pushes open the valve 9d of the ink tank 9c, so that the waste ink can be taken into the inside. Further, if the ink tank 9c containing the waste ink therein is removed from this position, the valve 9d is closed and the ink can be processed cleanly without leaking.

Further, the present invention is not limited to such a valve mechanism, and any mechanism having a similar function, such as a method of penetrating a needle-shaped passage through a rubber stopper, can be considered.

Further, when ink cannot be ejected, it is not immediately replaced with a new cartridge, but ink is replenished to the ink tank 9c using the fill unit shown in the first or second embodiment, and the ink is discharged to a predetermined level. You may make it repeatedly use a number of times. In this case, the predetermined number of times means that, when the ink tank 9c is used as a waste ink storage portion, the amount of ink that is discharged is enough to collect the ink tank 9c. Fourth Embodiment FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a head cartridge having a head and an ink tank integrated therein, which can be diverted to a waste ink tank after ink is exhausted.

The head 9b and the ink tank 9c are integrally formed. The ink tank 9c is provided with a cap 9f, which is removed after the ink is exhausted to form a waste ink intake port, which is used as a waste ink tank.
In addition, unless the cap 9f is removed, it cannot be set in the waste ink tank.

When used as a head, the cap 9
The end of f is inserted in the hole 9g. This is because a certain contact is blocked inside the hole 9g, and when this is pulled out, the internal contact comes into contact, and in that state, even if the head is set in the printer, "ink suction operation", "print operation", etc. The electric circuit and control specifications are configured so that it does not operate in any way.

Further, when the cap 9f is pulled out and the contact is once closed, the contact is not opened even if the end of the cap 9f is inserted again from the outside. With these configurations, the head cartridge once diverted as the waste ink tank cannot be set and used again in the printer, and it is possible to prevent the head cartridge from being erroneously mounted and printing with defective ink.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view for explaining the relationship between the end of the cap 9f and the contact.

Reference numeral 9h is a contact piece, and 9i is a substrate connected to the electric circuit of the printer body. In the illustrated state, the end of the cap 9f is inserted between the contact piece 9h and the substrate 9i, and the circuit here is "open" as described above. When the end of the cap 9f is pulled out to be diverted to the waste ink tank, the elasticity of the contact piece 9h makes contact with the substrate 9i to make it conductive, and the circuit here becomes "closed", making it unusable as a head. Further, the tip of the contact piece 9h has a shape bent at 90 °, and the shape enters the groove of the substrate 9i. Therefore, the end of the cap 9f is inserted from the hole 9g, and the circuit is repeated again. Even if you try to return it to "Open", it is not possible.

Further, the present invention is not limited to such a reuse prevention mechanism, and any mechanism having a similar function such as an example using a photosensor can be considered.

As in the above-described embodiment, the head cartridge itself including the head and the ink tank is also used as a waste ink tank after the ink is exhausted. Fifth Embodiment FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a separate ink tank according to a fifth embodiment.

Reference numeral 4 is a recording medium, 9b is a head, 11 is a carriage, 23 is a guide shaft, 33 is a conveying roller, 51 is a cap, and 55 is a waste ink container. Ink tank 9c
Does not exist on the carriage 11 but is arranged separately on the right rear side of the apparatus, and ink is supplied to the head 9 by the supply tube 70.
sent to b. The ink tank 9c has a shape that is replaced with the waste ink container 55 after the ink has been consumed and emptied, and can be diverted.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a state in which the separate ink tank of the other embodiment 5 is diverted to the waste ink container 55.

Ink taken from the cap 51 is accumulated through the filter 71 in the ink tank 9c which is replaced with the space of the waste ink container 55. The filter 71 has a function of filtering dust, dust and the like contained in the ink. Further, the recovery system device of this embodiment does not use a substance such as grease mixed with ink and impairing the function of the device (head). In this device, the ink accumulated in the ink tank 9c is very close to the initial state and is at a reusable level. Therefore, when the ink has accumulated to some extent, it can be re-installed in the ink tank space at the back right of the device. Can be recycled.

The present invention is not limited to the printer in which the ink tank is provided on the carriage 11, but after the use of the replaceable ink tank 9c arranged on other than the carriage 11 as described in the above embodiment. It also includes a structure that can be converted to a replacement waste ink container.

Further, the refill kit 7 for replenishing the ink in the ink tank 9c arranged other than the carriage 11 can be used as a replacement waste ink container after the ink is replenished.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, a waste ink container is used when a container for replenishing ink, for example, a refilling injection container or a replacement ink tank becomes empty. By adopting a configuration that can be diverted to, it is possible to significantly reduce the space for storing the waste ink, and it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that is smaller than the present one.

Further, by making the waste ink container replacement time the same as the ink replenishment time, there is no need for means for notifying the waste ink container replacement time, which is convenient and inexpensive, and is also convenient in terms of environmental protection. A device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of refilling ink using a refill unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a word processor with a built-in ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refill unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refill unit after the refill is completed by the refill unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a refill unit is diverted as a waste ink storage unit in an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a method of replacing a waste ink container of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a refill unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the refill unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention is diverted as a waste ink storage unit.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a head cartridge including a replaceable ink tank according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a head cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the diversion of an ink tank according to a third embodiment of the invention as a waste ink storage unit.

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of a head cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink cartridge of Example 4 of the present invention is diverted as a waste ink storage section.

FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of a separate ink tank according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a separate ink tank of Example 5 of the present invention is diverted as a waste ink storage section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Keyboard 2 Display 3 Protective Cover 4 Recording Paper 5 Paper Supporter 7 Refill Unit 8 Waste Ink Container Cover 9 Head Cartridge 10 Ink Cartridge 11 Carriage 13 Hook 15 Operation Lever 17 Marker 19 Support Plate 21 Flexible Cable 23 Guide Axis 27 Timing Belt 29A , 29B Pulley 31 Carriage motor 33 Conveying roller 34 Platen 35 Conveying roller 37 Paper pan 39 Feed roller 41 Discharging roller 42 Spurter 45 Holding plate 47 Scale 49 Marker 51 Cap 53 Pump 55 Waste ink container (or waste ink tank) 61 Pump motor 63 Cam device 70 Supply tube 71 Filter

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A recording head for ejecting ink to a recording medium for recording, an ink holding unit for holding ink supplied to the head, and an ink discharged from the head by an operation other than recording. In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink storing means, the recording apparatus has an ink replenishing means for replenishing ink, and after the ink replenishing means replenishes the ink holding means, it is diverted to the ink storing means. Characteristic inkjet recording device. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink replenishing means is the ink holding means.